Jeffreys Bay Pet Rescue – Angels of mercy for abused animals
There is nothing more moving than the chocolate brown eyes of a puppy staring up at you begging you to love it.
That one gesture disarms all preference and demands your love, instantaneously & without restraint. Unfortunately many puppies never get that love. Instead our consciences are haunted by images of abused animals, chained to their own misery by humanity’s cruelty.
If you’ve just shivered or almost shed a tear for all the little fury friends, then you are one of those humans who would be inspired to action by the story of hope… There is a hope that is spurred on within us by the love and compassion in every animal lover’s heart. One such an animal lover is Cindy Muller, whom I had the pleasure of interviewing regarding what she claims to be her purpose in life. The desire to improve the living standards of animals burns passionately within Cindy’s heart. When asked whether there was a specific incidence that inspired Cindy to be an anti-animal cruelty activist, she replied that she was just born that way, because since as far as she can remember she has loved animals as a little girl. This love for animals has inspired both her and Irma Morris to start the Jeffreys Bay Pet Rescue organisation six years ago.
Pet Rescue is a non-profit organisation with the sole purpose of caring for abused and neglected animals. Their main focus area is in the township of Tokyo Sexwhale. Together they try to alleviate the evils done by human hands to any domestic animal, be it canine, feline or even as most recently, a goat. They are hands-on and involved in their full personal capacity. Both Irma and Cindy venture into the township weekly to do their good deeds. But what do these good deeds entail? They identify animals in need of care and feed them, organise proper sleeping kennels, extend their short chains, dip and de-worm them. Unlike the SPCA they aren’t legally allowed to confiscate and remove abused animals from their current owners & don’t house unwanted animals in kennels.
Pet Rescue believes that by giving shelter to an animal in a kennels cultivates, reinforces and encourages a mentality amongst people that they can acquire animals like any other materialistic thing to be through away as soon as they tire of it.
But by encouraging and educating pet owners about the responsibilities and proper care that their animals require, Pet Rescue is changing the way people view and treat their pets.
They do however assist with finding homes for puppies as one of their services. A rough estimate of an average of 115 puppies and kittens are adopted yearly, by loving families whom are hand-picked by Cindy and Irma. There are no limits to the extent of trouble that Cindy would go to when finding a home or hand rearing abandoned day old kittens or puppies. She recalls bringing home 12 puppies at once and is still amazed that her husband agreed that she can house them all until they found suitable homes.
But finding suitable homes for the little ones is not the solution to the problem. The problem lies with the uneducated owners and their financial inability to spade their pets. Therefore, an annual sterilization campaign is hosted by Pet Rescue in the Pellsrus Community Hall, free of charge to the community. The community hall is changed into an animal hospital for the day by vets and volunteers. The pet owners register the animal to be spaded at the door, and then the animal is prepared for surgery. Surgery is done by vets assisted by volunteers and then the patients are transferred to the stage that has been covered with blankets and serve as a recovery ward. There the animals are cared for and comforted by volunteers of all ages. This initiative can’t be done without the support of sponsors.
Pet Rescue desperately relies on sponsors and the support of their fundraising events to continue their good work. They host an annual golf day and regular poker days to raise funds for the sterilization campaign and supplies for ongoing outreach projects. The golf day is usually held in spring at the St Francis Links Golf Course and draws nearly 160 players who all come to support the cause. Sponsors for the holes are always welcome and it promises to be a fun-filled day. Regular poker days are hosted by The Mexican. The next poker day will be held on the 25th August at noon. All proceeds go towards Pet Rescue. Buy-in is R100 and there are lots of prices to be won. See pictures of our last tournament.
Pet Rescue encourages the local community to get involved with them in caring for the animals.
Any donations are most welcome. The smallest of things makes an impact in the lives of less fortunate animals. So next time you throw out an old towel or tattered blanket, give Cindy a call and she’ll find an appreciative little fury friend to keep warm with your donation. If you want to get involved as a volunteer or contribute financially, please contact Cindy Muller at 083 320 4173 or email her at cindyels@live.co.za.
Jeffreys Bay Pet Rescue’s banking details are as follows:
Jeffreys Bay Market link cc
Account no: 383 917 158
Standard Bank
Jeffreys Bay